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Aikido Association International Services |
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Aikido Association International Services |
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The Aikido Association International (AAI) is the international arm of the Aikido Association of America and has affiliated dojo in ten nations. AAI was founded by Shihan Fumio Toyoda and offers the same types of services internationally as AAA does nationally. Services include instruction, school recognition, rank verification by standardized tests, seminar workshops and other support to Aikido instructors and practitioners worldwide.
The goal of AAI is to lift Aikido training internationally to its highest possible level and to pass Aikido on to future generations through the development of quality, professional instruction. AAI is headquartered in Palatine, Illinois. Shihan Toyoda founded AAI in 1986 and brought over 40 years of Aikido training experience to AAI and its programs.
AAI provides a variety of services to its members, in an ongoing effort to promote quality Aikido and Aikido instruction worldwide. These services are described below.
A. Dojo |
AAI provides international recognition and accreditation of Aikido dojo and their satellites. It provides guidance on establishing and maintaining a dojo, whether university club to professionally-run, full-time dojo. Member dojo are listed free of charge on the internationally-accessed AAA/AAI web site. A full dojo offers an Aikido program that meets consistently at least three times per week, and has been in existence at least three years. Instruction is by shidoin and fukushidoin. An Aikido club offers an Aikido program that meets consistently at least three times per week, and has existed at least one year. Instruction again is by shidoin and fukushidoin. |
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B. Instructor |
Legitimacy of instructors and quality of instruction are always emphasized in AAI. To this end, the organization has requirements for several levels of instructor certification, and provides international recognition of this certification. Instructor training seminars are also offered yearly in Europe, as well as twice a year in the United States. Instructor levels include shihan (master instructor),shihandai (assistant shihan), sensei (teacher), shidoin (instructor), fukushidoin (assistant instructor), and jyoshu (assistant). Certification level depends on guidelines set forth in AAI policy. |
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C. Student |
International recognition of status as an Aikido practitioner is one of the services provided to individual members by AAI. Membership entitles the student to an AAI membership card or yudansha booklet, in which records of the students test and certification dates, annual dues payments, and camp and seminar attendance is recorded. Students receive the international AAI newsletter, Aikido World, four times per year. |
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D. Rank Tests and Promotions |
AAI has established standardized requirements for kyu rank promotion tests
for adults and children, and for black belt tests. The organization
provides certification for successful kyu-rank promotions through the
students' dojo-cho; dan certificates are issued by Aikido World
Headquarters. The AAI and AAA Teaching Committee, administers the
black belt tests at seminars overseas for aikidoka around the world, in
conjunction with members of the local test committees.
The local test committees, or Shinsa iin kai, are composed of Aikido instructors ranked sandan (third degree black belt) and above, who are elected from among the collective group of Aikido black belts present at a promotion test. The head of the Shinsa iin kai is shibucho of the area in which the test is taking place, as appointed by the AAI Teaching Committee, and reports directly to the AAI Teaching Committee. |
A. Daily Instruction |
Daily, quality instruction at an introductory or ongoing level is one of the foundations of AAI. AAI instructors teach six-week introductory courses designed for those who have never done martial arts before, or who have trained in other martial arts but are looking for a change. At the ongoing level, students can participate in a variety of classes, from introductory to beginner's to mixed rank to advanced. Special classes are offered at AAA/AAI Headquarters for yudansha (black belts) and for dedicated students (uchideshi and kenshusei). Classes are designed for children, youths, or adults, and may also be run outside the dojo at, for instance, a community center, workplace, local high school or college. For more information on daily training opportunities in your area, contact the nearest AAI dojo. |
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B. Training Seminars |
To further training of Aikidoka (Aikido students) through standardized instruction and intensive, focused training, AAI offers seminars at a variety of levels and on a variety of subjects including beginning and advanced techniques for both empty-hand and traditional weapons, tactical applications, and therapeutic bodywork. Seminar instructors include shihan (master instructor), shihan-dai (assistant shihan), and AAI Teaching Committee members. |
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C. National and Regional Camps |
The AAI Training Camps are large regional gatherings of Aikido practitioners for training, black belt tests, and personal exchange. Held in different parts of the world, the AAI Camps are major opportunities for practitioners to network and improve themselves through intensive Aikido practice and when possible, through participating in on-site lodging and meals. |
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D. Instructor Training and Certification Seminars |
Consistent, quality professional instruction is necessary for the long-term growth of Aikido arts. AAI offers an organized method of instruction which is documented in our instructor's manual and promoted through instructors' seminars and the certification of instructor levels. AAI's instructional program, instituted by President and Chief Instructor Shihan Toyoda, is promulgated under the guidance of Aikido Doshu K. Ueshiba's teaching and the philosophy of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba. AAI offers its Instructor Seminar every other year in Bulgaria and Poland. |
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E. Professional Instructor Training Program |
AAI believes that professional, full-time Aikido instructors are the means by which the art will be successfully transmitted to future generations. For this reason, the Association has instituted a professional instructor training program with unique opportunities for learning teaching methodology as well as strategies for establishing and operating professional schools in today's world. |
A. Shihan |
"Shihan" literally means "teacher of teachers." A shihan has
responsibility for the overall planning and development of Aikido
instruction. Designation of shihan comes only by appointment from
Aikikai Hombu Dojo. Currently, only Toyoda Shihan
holds this title.
Toyoda Shihan was the founder, president and Chief Instructor of AAI, and was the primary instructor of all AAI Camps and most of the seminars. |
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B. Guest Shihan |
Shihan from other organizations, such as Aikido Kobayashi Dojo which is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, visit the U.S. to share in teaching at various AAA camps or seminars. Currently, guest shihan include Yasuo Kobayashi Shihan, president and chief instructor of Aikido Kobayashi Dojo, and Kengo Hatayama Shihan, of Aikido Sayamadai Dojo. |
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C. Shihan-dai |
Shihan-dai, or assistant instructors, are appointed by a shihan as
assistant in instruction and directorship. At this time there are
four shihandai in AAI:
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D. National Teaching Committee |
The AAI International Teaching Committee is
composed of dedicated, high-ranked Aikido instructors around the world,
from the Association, who are committed to assisting Shihan Toyoda in
propagating high quality Aikido through their instruction and teaching
methodology. Committee members are ranked yondan (fourth-degree
black belt) and above, and are chosen for both their instructional and
organizational experience. Teaching Committee members also offer
instructional seminars in their regional areas as representatives of AAI.
They also take an active lead in the Association with promotion test
procedures, acting as sources of information on AAI promotion test
requirements and leading local test committees, and meet annual
requirements to maintain their position on the Teaching Committee.
Current AAI National Teaching Committee Members are:
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| A. Hakamakai | The Hakamakai is an international organization of Aikido yudansha (black belts). The Hakamakai is a foundation group of committed Aikido practicitioners who work to implement Association goals and events. |
A. Newsletters |
AAI publishes a periodic newsletter, Aikido World, to promote communication among dojo and their members and to spread education and philosophical and academic standards in Aikido. |
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B. Internet |
Services offered on the internet include:
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C. Cultural Trips and Training Tours |
Each year AAI sponsors a group trip to Japan, the birthplace of Aikido. Trip participants have the opportunity to train at Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo and with members from other Aikido organizations, and to participate in tours emphasizing cultural exchange and understanding. |
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